Weekly Entertainment Guide – Watercolors

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    "American Watercolor in the Age of Homer and Sargent" is now on display at the Philadelphia Museum of Art, focusing on the dawn of watercolor painting in the United States. Pictured: Diamond Shoal, 1905. Winslow Homer, American, 1836 1910. Watercolor and graphite on paper, Sheet: 14 × 21 7/8 inches. Private Collection. Courtesy of the Philadelphia Museum of Art.

    Robin Bloom shares her recommendations for what to do this week in the Philadelphia region!

    What’s Happening

    “American Watercolor in the Age of Homer and Sargent” at the Philadelphia Museum of Art

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    On display at the Philadelphia Museum of Art is American Watercolor in the Age of Homer and Sargent, focusing on the advent of watercolor painting in the United States. The landmark, comprehensive loan exhibition spans the period from the nineteenth century until the 1920s, centered on the achievements of two of its most influential practitioners: Winslow Homer (1836-1910) and Jon Singer Sargent (1856-1925). More than 170 works – many of them acknowledged masterpieces of this medium – have been drawn from public and private collections throughout the country. Pieces are light-sensitive, exhibited infrequently, and seldom lent and will only be seen in Philadelphia. Watercolor painting developed as a uniquely American medium during the second half of the nineteenth century and the first several decades of the twentieth century and this exhibit features brilliantly colored landscapes, still lifes, and genre scenes as well as illustrations and designs for ceramics and stained glass. Additional artists include Thomas Eakins and George Inness, William T. Richards, Thomas Moran, and Edwin Austin Abbey, through May 14, Benjamin Franklin Parkway, Philadelphia. Pictured: A Garden in Nassau, 1885. Winslow Homer, American, 1836 1910. Watercolor and opaque watercolor over graphite, with blotting and scraping, on textured cream wove paper, Image: 14 1/2 × 21 inches. Terra Foundation for American Art, Daniel J. Terra Collection.

    “The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time” at the Academy of Music

    The first national tour of The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time stops at the Academy of Music for its Philadelphia premiere through March 5. The critically-acclaimed award-winning play by Simon Stephens is adapted from the novel by Mark Haddon and is directed by Marianne Elliott. Based on the book by the same name (that is this year’s One Book, One Philadelphia selection) about what happens when a fifteen year old, who is suspected of killing his neighbor’s dog, sets out to find the true culprit. The show is part of the Kimmel Center for the Performing Art’s Broadway Philadelphia season, Broad Street, Philadelphia. Photo by Joan Marcus.

    “American Spirits: The Rise and Fall of Prohibition” at the National Constitution Center

    Learn about the constitutional legacy of Prohibition and how the Constitution can be amended today with the exhibit American Spirits: The Rise and Fall of Prohibition, returning for a limited engagement at the National Constitution Center, Friday, March 3. The critically-acclaimed exhibit was on display in 2012 has since toured nationally and is remounted through July 16. The comprehensive exhibition offers the opportunity to experience history from the beginning of the temperance movement to the repeal of a constitutional amendment during the Great Depression and features over 100 artifacts from the time period as well as interactive displays and environments that emulate the Prohibition experience, 525 Arch Street, Independence Mall, Philadelphia. Pictured: “Mr. Dry” Bar Set, ca. 1930. Photo courtesy of the National Constitution Center.

    Paleopalooza at the Academy of Natural Sciences

    The annual two-day festival Paleopalooza returns, Saturday and Sunday, March 4 and 5, to the Academy of Natural Sciences of Drexel University. Check out live animal shows, rarely displayed Devonian fossils collected in central Pennsylvania, the Academy’s world-renowned collection of dinosaur, reptile and other fossils, meet paleontologists, hunt for real fossils, and more. Also, watch artist Ray Troll use chalk to recreate the famous Hadrosaurus foulkii and take a look at the prehistoric sky with Derrick Pitts, Chief Astronomer at the Franklin Institute, 1900 Benjamin Franklin Parkway, Philadelphia. Photo by Jeff Fusco.

    Philly Craft Beer Festival

    The 11th annual Philly Craft Beer Festival returns to the Navy Yard, Saturday, March 4, 1:30 p.m. – 5 p.m. (VIPs get in at 12:30 p.m.). Considered one of the top beer festivals in America, the afternoon features over 75 brewers and more than 200 beers, plus food trucks, live entertainment and more, rain or shine, 4747 South Broad Street, Philadelphia. Photo courtesy of Philly Craft Beer Festival.

    “The Storybook Magic of Jerry Pinkney” at Woodmere Art Museum

    On display at Woodmere Art Museum is The Storybook Magic of Jerry Pinkney, through March 26. The family exhibition celebrates the distinctive imagination and storytelling power of the Philadelphia-born master watercolorist and one of the most beloved artists in children’s literature with paintings and drawings from two of his books, Black Cowboy, Wild Horses: A True Story and Sweethearts of Rhythm: The Story of the Greatest All-Girl Swing Band in the World, both based on true stories of African American history. Related programs and events include Friday Night Jazz with a tribute concert to the Sweethearts of Rhythm, the first interracial women’s swing band, Friday night, March 3, 6 p.m. On Saturday, March 4, 3 p.m. is a lecture, The Long Ride Home: The African American Cowboy Experience in America with photographer Ron Tarver. Jerry Pinkney will host a free book signing before at 1:30 p.m., 9201 Germantown Avenue, Chestnut Hill. Pictured: First Light, from Black Cowboys, Wild Horses, 1997, by Jerry Pinkney (Courtesy of the artist).

    “Wonder and Whimsy” at Delaware Art Museum

    Delaware Art Museum introduces an important turn of the century illustrator to an American audience with Wonder and Whimsy: The Illustrations of W. Heath Robinson (1872-1944). The well-known British illustrator’s first comprehensive retrospective features 68 watercolor illustrations, designs, drawings, and books showcasing his quirky style and ability to evoke emotion. Robinson’s life and work straddled the Pre-Raphaelite movement and the golden age of early 20th century illustration and he illustrated books written by Shakespeare and Hans Christian Andersen, on view March 4 through May 21, 2301 Kentmere Parkway, Wilmington. Related programs and events include From Bag-Bird to Blue-Beard: W. Heath Robinson and the Trans-Atlantic Gift Book Craze, 1902-1921, Saturday, March 4, 2 p.m. Pictured: Second Adventure – The Air-Ship. The Aeronaut, 1902, from The Adventures of Uncle Lubin, (London: Grant Richards, 1902), William Heath Robinson (1872–1944), Pen and ink, with watercolor, 7 11/16 x 9 13/16 inches (19.5 x 25.0 cm) The William Heath Robinson Trust.

    “Tomfoolery” at Act II Playhouse

    Tomfoolery, a revue of the witty, wicked and twisted world of famed satirical songwriter Tom Lehrer, is onstage at Act II Playhouse. Artistic Director Tony Braithwaite directs and stars in the show along with Jamison Foreman, Tracie Higgins, and Patrick Romano. Based on the Tom Lehrer Songbook, adapted by Cameron Mackintosh and Robin Ray, which premiered in London in 1981, the popular show is already extended through April 2, 56 E. Butler Avenue, Ambler, Pennsylvania. Photo by Bill D’Agostino.

    Film

    Philadelphia Screendance Festival

    The 2nd Philadelphia Screendance Festival, an international “dance-for-camera” film festival celebrating the connection between the cinematic and the choreographic, takes place Friday, March 3 and Saturday, March 4 with 20 short films from film and dance makers from all over the world. Presented by Nora Gibson Contemporary Ballet, the festival offers two programs: “Sleek” features light-hearted and aesthetically pleasing films for all ages at 7:30 p.m. and “Edgy” offers films that explore the weird and wild and make social and political statements. Screenings feature award winning filmmakers, choreographers, and emerging artists, Performance Garage, 1515 Brandywine Street, Philadelphia. Photo courtesy of the Philadelphia Screendance Festival.

    Seldom Seen Hitchcock at Colonial Theatre

    The Colonial Theatre hosts the March classic film series Seldom Seen Hitchcock. Movies include “Stage Fright,” (pictured) Sunday, March 5, 2 p.m., “Strangers on a Train,” Sunday, March 12, 2 p.m., “The Birds,” Sunday, March 19, 2 p.m., “Hitchcock/Truffaut,” Sunday, March 19, 4:30 p.m., and “Frenzy,” Sunday, March 26, 2 p.m., 227 Bridge Street, Phoenixville, Pennsylvania.

    Garden State Film Festival’s “Best of the Fest”

    Get a taste of the Garden State Film Festival with a screening of five shorts, the Best of the Fest, Friday, March 3, 7 p.m., Croft Farm Arts Center, 100 Bortons Mill Road, Cherry Hill, New Jersey. Selections include “Pigeon: Impossible” (USA) (pictured), “The Kiddush Man” (Israel), “Bye Bye Now!” (Ireland), “What Makes Me Happy – Tung’s Film” (Vietnam), and “Miss Shade is Missing” (USA). Tickets available in advance and at the door. This year’s GSFF takes place March 30 through April 2 in Atlantic City, New Jersey.

     

     

    Each week, the Entertainment Guide spotlights interesting local arts offerings happening now, including music, dance, theater, museums, special exhibitions and other arts events from across the region.

    To submit an event to be considered, email Robin Bloom at artscalendar@whyy.org.

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